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No. 6I4,6|2. Patented Nov. 22, |898. J. M. FLOWER.

TBUSS.

. (Application med June 2e, 159s (No Model.)

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JAMES M. FLOVER, OF POTTSVILLE, ARKANSAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ROBERT G. FERGUSON, OF SAME PLACE.

TRUSS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 614,612, dated November 22, 1898. Application filed June 28, 1898. Serial No. 684,677. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES lll. FLOWER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pottsville, in the county of Pope and State of Arkansas, have invented certain newA and useful Improvements in Trusses; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to trusses for the treatment and relief of hernia or rupture, and more particularly to a novel form of support for the pad; and the object is to provide a simple, comfortable, and eifective device of this character.

To this end the invention consists in certain features of construction and combination of parts, which will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

IThe accompanying drawings show my invention in the best form now known to me; but many changes in the details might be made within the skill of a good mechanic without departing from the spirit of my in-- vention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved truss. Fig. 2 is a central transverse vertical section. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4is a cross-section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a similar view on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a detail view of one of the adj Listing-screws.

1 represents the band or belt, which is adjustably secured to the body by the usual strap 2 and buckle 3, and 4 denotes a curved sheet-metal spring exibly secured to said belt by the stitching 5.

6 and 7 denote a pair of converging shoes pivotally secured at their upper ends to the outer ends of the spring 4 by the rivets 8 8 and also to the belt by the stitchings 9 9. These shoes 6 and 7 are each formed with a transverse recess 10 to receive the free ends 12 12 of a second curved sheet-metal spring 13, also secured to the belt 1 parallel with the spring 4 by means of a row of stitches 14. The lower end of each shoe is likewise formed with a longitudinal pocket 15 to receive the free ends of the semicircular sheet metal spring 16, which is provided with a longitudinal slot 17 to receive the tongue 18 of the adjustable wedge 19, the opposite face of which is formed with a longitudinal groove 20 to receive the impinging end of the adjusting-screw 21, secured in the lower end of the shoe.

22 denotes a longitudinal slot in the lower portion of the spring 16 to lreceive the adj usting-screw 23, which secures the pad 24 to the spring.

The three adj listing-screws are similar in construction, and, as shown in an enlarged detail in Fig. 6, each consists of a threaded shank having an enlarged head in which is hinged a folding handle, which lies iiat and at a right angle to the head after the screw has been adjusted, so as to present no obstructions to the Wearing-apparel'when the truss is in use.

The shoes 6 and 7 are each provided with lateral flanges or ears 25, formed with oriices, as shown, by means of which they may be also stitched to the belt, if desired.

1. In combination, the belt 1, the curved springs 4 and 13 secured t said belt, the shoes 6 and 7 formed with transverse recesses 10 and pockets 15, and pivoted at their upper ends to the spring 4, the semicircular spring 16 having its free ends adjustably secured in said pockets and the pad 24 adjustably se* cured to said spring 16, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In combination, the belt 1, the curved springs 4 and 13 secured to said belt, the shoes 6 and 7 pivoted at their upper ends to said spring 4 and formed with recesses 10 for the reception of the ends of said spring 13, and having their lower ends provided with a pocket 15, the semicircular spring 16 having its free ends provided with longitudinal slots 17, the

wedge 1S) formed with the tongue 1S and In testimony whereof I hzwe hereunto'set groove 20, said Wedge and contiguous edge of my hand in presence of two subscribing Witsaid spring 16 being adapted to be adjustably messes.

secured independent of each other in said JAMES M. FLOWER. 5 pocket in said shoe, and the pad 2 adjust- Vitllesses:

ably secured to the spring 1G, substantially R. L. LAWRENCE,

:Ls and for the purposes specified. J. J. BULLOCK. 

